10/08/2026
🐢 5 OF THE WORLD’S 7 SEA TURTLE SPECIES NEST IN SRI LANKA
Surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka provides important feeding and nesting habitats for five remarkable sea turtle species.
Meet Sri Lanka’s five ocean travellers:
1️⃣ GREEN TURTLE — Chelonia mydasThe world’s largest hard-shelled sea turtle. Adults feed mainly on seagrass and algae.
2️⃣ OLIVE RIDLEY — Lepidochelys olivaceaOne of the smallest sea turtles, recognised by its olive-coloured, heart-shaped shell.
3️⃣ HAWKSBILL — Eretmochelys imbricataKnown for its narrow, bird-like beak and beautiful overlapping shell plates. It often feeds on sponges around coral reefs.
4️⃣ LEATHERBACK — Dermochelys coriaceaThe largest turtle on Earth. Instead of a hard shell, it has a flexible, leathery back with distinctive ridges and feeds mainly on jellyfish.
5️⃣ LOGGERHEAD — Caretta carettaRecognised by its large head and powerful jaws, which can crush hard-shelled prey such as crabs, conchs and other molluscs.
🌊 WHY THEY MATTER
Sea turtles help support healthy marine habitats and food webs. Their survival is closely connected to the health of our beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds and oceans.
⚠️ THE DANGERS THEY FACE
Fishing-gear entanglement, plastic pollution, egg collection, illegal wildlife trade, coastal development and bright lights near nesting beaches continue to threaten their survival.
💚 HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Keep beaches and oceans free from plastic.• Never buy products made from turtle shells.• Observe nesting turtles quietly from a safe distance.• Avoid flash photography and bright lights on nesting beaches.• Never touch turtles, hatchlings, eggs or nests.• Support responsible, science-based conservation projects.
These ancient ocean travellers have survived for millions of years. Their future now depends on the choices we make today.
Share this post and help the world discover—and protect—the sea turtles of Sri Lanka. 🇱🇰🐢
